The only time I've taken niacin or B-3 by itself was during Dr. Rea's sauna program. Niacin was taken before getting in the sauna in order to help flush one's system of toxins.
If you've never taken it small amounts of can turn your face and body beet-red and make you feel as you're about to explode... It's quite an experience.
[fright]
[/fright]@waiting recommended that I try it by itself. She said it was one the few things that really helped her during her really dark years. I gave it a try....I turned beet red; it felt like my body was going to explode with heat and then as that effect diminished I felt very calm (really unusual for me) and really clear. My cognitive abilities definitely went up for awhile and my chemical sensitivities disappeared.....It was wonderful.
I've taken it several times since then. Once when I was stuck inside my van when it was raining. Something in the van was making me nauseous. I felt horrible but then the niacin worked again; after the initial "explosion" my system calmed down and my chemical sensitivities completely disappeared!
This has happened several times. I don't take it too often because I'm afraid of developing tolerance - something I tend to do with things that help me - but invariably its as if the cobwebs disappear, I can see and think more clearly, my chemical sensitivities (if present diminish) and my energy picks up a bit.
Niacin
In sauna Niacin is believed to
I wonder if niacin's effect on me have to do with its ability to dilate blood vessels. That dilation, though, only occurs near the skin
Dr. David Williams believes that improves circulation in the legs. Nobody seems to connect it with producing calmness and helping with chemical sensitivity except in connection with a sauna program.
http://thedetoxspecialist.com/blog/cleansing/flush-out-chemicals-with-a-niacin-detox/
Wikipedia
WebMD
WebMD says a lot of good things about niacin but does have some warnings about it:
Some sites warn against taking 750 mg or more a day.
If you've never taken it small amounts of can turn your face and body beet-red and make you feel as you're about to explode... It's quite an experience.
[fright]
I've taken it several times since then. Once when I was stuck inside my van when it was raining. Something in the van was making me nauseous. I felt horrible but then the niacin worked again; after the initial "explosion" my system calmed down and my chemical sensitivities completely disappeared!
This has happened several times. I don't take it too often because I'm afraid of developing tolerance - something I tend to do with things that help me - but invariably its as if the cobwebs disappear, I can see and think more clearly, my chemical sensitivities (if present diminish) and my energy picks up a bit.
Niacin
In sauna Niacin is believed to
The theory is simple -- both saunas and niacin (vitamin B3) stimulate body detoxification in a one-two punch. Niacin speeds metabolism and acts on your body's fat at the same time, where many toxins are stored. The released toxins travel through small blood vessels, now dilated to allow freer passage. The sauna, in turn, increases body temperature, encouraging the immune system to strengthen and toxins to flush out of your pores as sweat. While experts debate if it really works, many claim a niacin and sauna detoxification has real benefits.
I wonder if niacin's effect on me have to do with its ability to dilate blood vessels. That dilation, though, only occurs near the skin
Niacin causes the blood vessels to dilate or open up near the skin, which results in a hot, tingling sensation accompanied by a red flushing of the skin.
Dr. David Williams believes that improves circulation in the legs. Nobody seems to connect it with producing calmness and helping with chemical sensitivity except in connection with a sauna program.
http://thedetoxspecialist.com/blog/cleansing/flush-out-chemicals-with-a-niacin-detox/
Wikipedia
In animal models and in vitro, niacin produces marked anti-inflammatory effects in a variety of tissues – including the brain, gastrointestinal tract, skin, and vascular tissue – through the activation of NIACR1.[81][82][83][84] Niacin has been shown to attenuate neuroinflammation and may have efficacy in treating neuroimmune disorders such as multiple sclerosis and Parkinson's disease.[81][84] Unlike niacin, nicotinamide does not activate NIACR1, however both niacin and nicotinamide activate the G protein-coupled estrogen receptor (GPER) in vitro.[85]
WebMD
WebMD says a lot of good things about niacin but does have some warnings about it:
However, niacin is only effective as a cholesterol treatment at fairly high doses. These doses could pose risks, such as liver damage, gastrointestinal problems, or glucose intolerance. So don't treat yourself with over-the-counter niacin supplements. Instead, get advice from your health care provider, who can prescribe FDA-approved doses of niacin instead.
Some sites warn against taking 750 mg or more a day.